Hoy
The second largest island of the archipelago, Hoy, is very different from Mainland and is scenically the most dramatic of the Orkney's. The high uplands in the north-west of Hoy provide spectacularly panoramic views across all of Orkney, and St John's Head, one of the highest points, teams with seabirds and boasts some vary rare plants. This island is an absolute delight for the geologist, ornithologist and botanist, not to mention those visitors who relish a good ramble. The island is strikingly underpopulated with residents of the human species, a mere 400 people permanently dwell here. The most venerable inhabitant is the world famous Old Man of Hoy, a 450 ft perpendicular sandstone column that still challenges the world's leading rock-climbers to this day.
Amongst Orkney's other northern islands Rousay offers rich archaeological finds earning it the sobriquet 'Egypt of the North'. Here at Midhowe a remarkable 76 ft long Neolithic chambered tomb, named the ‘Great Ship of Death', contains 12 burial compartments either side of a central passage. On the island of Egilsay is an unusual round church, which has strong affinities with similar buildings in Ireland - its shape ensured that the Devil could not hide in any unseen corner. The church marks the 12th century site of the martyrdom of St Magnus.
Low lying Sanday, with its bleached beaches, has made room for a golf course, but not to the exclusion of archaeological remains. The most important of these is the remarkable Quoyness Chambered Cairn, standing 13 ft high and dating from about 2900 BC.
Travel within the archipelago is by ferries and more often by planes. Of particular note is the Loganair flight between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray, for it boasts the world's shortest commercial flight - in perfect weather conditions the flight takes only one minute.